MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Local mindfulness teacher, author and life coach JoAnn Saccato, will present a free workshop based on her eight-week “Compassion-based Mindfulness for Peace, Clarity and Freedom” course.

The workshop will be held at Harbin Hot Springs, 18424 Harbin Springs Road, Middletown, on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Temple.

The event is free, though attendees must be registered as guests at Harbin.
 
Saccato will provide information on the history and stress reducing benefits of a mindfulness practice, as well as guide participants through two mindfulness exercises.
 
Mindfulness is a body-based practice that invites one to purposefully pay kind, non-judgmental attention to direct experience of senses, thoughts and emotions.

Studies indicate that mindfulness can help reduce stress and stress-related illnesses; increase focus and attention; decrease incidences of, and relapses with, depression; help reduce anxiety; aid the immune system; and aid in sleep and digestive disorders. As well, mindfulness has been shown to help with addictive and compulsive disorders.
 
“Besides reducing stress, mindfulness helps participants gain deeper clarity, a new vitality and sense of freedom in their lives,” Saccato said.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and be ready for gentle movement exercises.
 
Saccato is author of “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice” and her forthcoming book, “Compassion-based Mindfulness for Peace, Clarity and Freedom.”

For more information on Saccato and Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom courses, visit www.Compassion-basedMindfulness.com or call 707-350-1719.

For more information on visiting Harbin Hot Springs, visit www.harbin.org .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Gibson Museum is still seeking volunteers to stand for election to the governing board.

The election will be held at the museum board's next regular meeting on Sept. 1.

Nominations are open through Aug. 24.

Send contact information for your nominee and the reasons you believe that person to be qualified, by email, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Ballots will be prepared by Sept. 1.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation’s fifth annual Cardinal Sports Night takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Phil Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Come and enjoy a fun-filled night of games, music, a barbecue dinner provided by the Lakeport Fire Department and merriment.

This event provides direct financial assistance to the sports teams of Clear Lake High School just in time for the new school year.

Silent and live auctions are on the agenda, along with an exciting basket raffle.

Also, back by popular demand is the Coaches Competition – a totally unique event that you don't want to miss.

Come watch the golf team defend its championship title against all those other coaches gunning for the coveted perpetual trophy and bragging rights.

Your favorite CLHS sporting teams are taking an active role in the event by providing the silent auction items – they keep 100-percent of everything their items bring – and they will be competing for your raffle tickets in the basket raffle showdown. 

The CLHS Sports Foundation has provided nearly $80,000 of support for the CLHS Athletic programs and more is definitely to come!

Presale Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Clear Lake High School, Strong Financial Network, Linda’s Hallmark and Plaza Paints.

A table of eight can be purchased for $500, which includes prime seating up front and some complimentary drinks.

Tickets for students are $15 each, and children under age 5 can attend for free.

Contact Jennifer Strong at 707-349-0815 or Mike Damiata at 707-513-6126 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Merchants Association will host a community potluck on Sunday, Aug. 16, to thank the firefighters working on wildland fires in the county.

The potluck will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at the new Middletown Square Park, in front of the Middletown Senior Center, which is located at 21256 Washington St.

Bring food to share with the firefighters and each other, chairs or a blanket, and enjoy music by David Neft, the CAM Band and more during this community gratitude party.

Attendees also will be invited to sign a giant thank you banner at the park and to pose for a huge group photo with the banner to send to all the fire and support crews from all over the state. 

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County PEG TV 8 Board will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The meeting will take place beginning at 6 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

Business items on the agenda include approval of the July 8 meeting minutes, approval of the pass-through funding contract with the county of Lake, interviews and appointment of the two public members on the PEG Board, discussion with County Counsel Anita Grant regarding legal issues, and the programmers' and chairman's reports.

LCPTV is Lake County's public, education and government Channel 8 on Mediacom.

Board members include Chair Ed Robey and Vice Chair Martin Scheel, and board members Denise Loustalot, Vince Metzger and Eric Hoefler.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust will hold its last nature education program of the season on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Rodman Preserve Nature Education Center at 6350 Westlake Road, Upper Lake.

The program is aimed at children ages 7 to 12, but all are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Leading the program is well-known local naturalist and nature education specialist, Elaine Mansell.

She is a retired teacher and was the leader of the Junior Ranger program at Clear Lake State Park for many years.

Mansell enjoys leading the “Rodman Explorers,” program at the Rodman Preserve and plans the August program to focus on “Discovering the Hidden World.”

It will consist of gathering all kinds of things (feathers, dead things, leaves and bark) and looking through the center’s microscopes.

“We will look at ‘stuff’ under the microscopes and identify what we see,” Mansell explained, using charts and ID cards.

Reservations are encouraged, but not required. To reserve your spot, call Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024. The program is free and open to the public.

The Rodman Slough Preserve and Nature Education Center is located at 6350 Westlake Road near Upper Lake.

Take the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off off of Highway 29 between Lakeport and Upper Lake. Turn east onto the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off, then left on to Westlake Road. The preserve entry is to the immediate right after turning on to Westlake.

The preserve is owned and operated by the Lake County Land Trust, a local non-profit organization that works to protect and preserve open space and natural habitats in Lake County.

For more information about the land trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .